A bill under development would put into state statute guidelines for receiving the health care assistance for the needy. The bill does not address expanding Medicaid as part of the new federal health care law.

The measure would not change who receives Medicaid, just put the eligibility standards into law. Health officials say about 90,000 people in Wyoming now receive Medicaid.

Lawmakers would still need federal approval before they could change Wyoming's eligibility rules. The federal government covers half the Medicaid tab but in exchange requires certain eligibility standards from the states.

The Legislature's Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee will next consider the proposal in November.